Leader’s report 1st July 2020
Welcome everyone to the annual meeting of council. I am going to start my Leaders report by reviewing all our events over the last year. We pride ourselves on the quality of our events, and all our events last year were extremely successful. The OAP party had better attendance by holding it in the Spring rather than the Winter months. The entertainment was well received and feedback from residents was all positive. I would like to extend my thanks to all those who volunteered at the event, helping with the buffet and supporting the elderly throughout the evening. I would also like to thank Jan and her team at Gilfach Workingmen’s Club, without their support the party would not have been as successful.
The Fireworks event was well attended by thousands of spectators, Pendragon Fireworks once again delivered a spectacular fireworks display, doing the town council proud indeed. Again, my thanks goes out to all our volunteers, and to the SIA steward for managing the viewing area.
The Winter events included the annual ice rink and Christmas Grotto. Thank you to Morrison’s supermarket for allowing the town council the use of the underground car park for these activities to take place. Bargoed Town Council has a strong history of partnership working with CCBC and with Morrisons working to deliver successful events in the community. Long may this positive relationship continue.
This brings me on to the Caerphilly County Borough Winter Fair, which for the first time was combined with the town council Winter activities. I feel bringing the events together increased public participation and increased footfall in the town centre. Town Council looks forward to working with CCBC in the future to further explore how these events can be improved upon.
It has been a difficult year for town council, with two Members having personal battles with Cancer. I would like to congratulate both Members for the way they have dealt with their personal difficulties while keeping up with their Council duties. I am immensely proud of them.
Our plans for the forthcoming year came to an abrupt halt with the Coronavirus Pandemic landing at our feet. Members have had new ways of working, and new technology thrust upon them, and I am proud of how all our Members have dealt with the new challenges. I would like to also extend my thanks to our Clerk for supporting Members individually to provide remote training and support to enable Council activities to continue.
We continue to work on our new projects of a Summer Sports Scheme and the reopening of the public toilets at Bargoed Bus station, as well as our expansion to our floral display and festive lighting programmes, and we are hopeful of a positive end to 2020 with our normal activities resuming as soon as possible.